Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-12

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berger, salisbury and Vance.
Mr.. Hit mas been instructed by the House COM
m1ttee On foreign affairs to report faycrably the
bill TO reduce TO 81 the fees on passports
A Dill was rejected in the House yesterday con-
1erring jurisdiction upon the court of claims and
United States supreme Court to determine the
case OF Chas. T. Creecy, OF this city, assignee Of
the schiilinger patent.
THE PENSION BILL VETO.
why the President Withheld His Ap-
prOval.
THE MEASURE, He SAYS Is NOT DEMANDED BIZ TEE
soLDIERs-IT WOULD PREVENT A xucH-NEEDED
REDUCTION OF TAXATION.
The President sent to the House late yesterday
afternoon his veto of the bill pensioning honora-
bly, discharged soldiers or their dependent parents
In the message he first raises the objection to the
bill that 1t Is avowed departure from the prin-
clple thus Tar adhered to respecting Union sol
dlers; that the bounty Of the government in the
way OF pensions is generously bestowed when
granted to those who, in this military service and
in the line of military duty, have to a greater or
less extent, been disabled. He admits however,
that service pensions are not new thing under
thiS government, as they We're provided for sol
d1erS OF the Revolution, Of the war OF 1872 and OF
the Mexican war, but in each instance they were
not granted until time so remote from the mill
tary service OF the persons whom they embraced
that their extreme age alone was deemed TO sup
ply presumption OF dependency and need.
PENSIONERS WHO NEVER SMEIT POWDER.
He objects that the bill eXacts only a service OF
three MONTHS without any requirement OF actual
engagement in battle, and awards pensions to men
who have sustained injury referable to military
service or who may have never reached the front
at an The section allowing the pension OF Sl2 per
month seems TO him to be uncertain and liable
to such conflicting constructions and 10 be subject
TO such Unjust and miScilieyOuS application as to
alone furnish sufficient ground for diSapproytng
the DrOpUSSQ LEGISLATION. The President
votes lluch space to the antiquities OF the re-
quirements under which pensions may be OBJ
tained.
WHO ARE DEPENDENT PERSONS?
The President points out the difficulty OF ascer-
tanning what is support or lack of support. He
says:
us the government to enter the homes of
their surroundings and CIRCUMSTANCES settle those
questions? Shall the government say to one man
that his manner OF subsistence by his earnings is
ings furnish are not a support? Any attempt,
however honest, TO administer this law In such d
manner would necessarily produce more unfairness
ana unjust discrimination and give more scope for
partisan part1atty, and would result in more per-
version or the governments benevolent intentions
than the execution OF any statute ought to per-
nit"
FURTHER PREMIUMS ON DISHONESTY.
Believing this to be the proper Interpretation of
the bill, the President recounts The benefcence
which the government has already bestowed upon
Ill deserving pensioners, and says:
Il cannot believe that the vast peaceful army OF
mon soldiers, who, having cOntenuediy resumed
their places In the ordinary avocatIons OF lire,
cherish as sacred the memory OF patriotic service,
war, justly regard the present pension roll, on
Whch appear their names, as q roll or honor, de-
sire at this time and in the present exigency 70 be
confounded with those who through such bill as
this are willing TO be objects OF simple charity
ana 70 gain place upon the pension roll through
! alleged dependence. Recent personal observation
cOnStr9tn IA hpr
result which will inevitably follow the passage OF
this bill 1t is sad, but nevertheless true that al
exits widespread disregard OF truth and good
faith, stimulated by those who as agents under
take to establish claims for pensions, heedless,y
entered upon by the eXpectant beneficiary and
encouraged, or at least not condemned, by those
unwilling to Obstruct neighbor's plans. In the
execution OF this proposed law under any 1nterpre-
tation a wide field OF inquiry would be opened for
the establishment OF facts largely within the
knowledge OF the claimants alone; and there can
be no doubt that the race after the pensions offered
by this bill Would not only stimulate weakness and
pretended incapacity for labor, but put a further
premium On dishonesty and mendacity."
THE ENORMOUS PROBABLE EXPENSE
of the bill Is another objection urged by the Pres
dent. He quotes the statement made in Congress
that the number Of pensioners under this bill would
be 80 1O5 and the increased annual cost s. l2O:
but reasoning from the analOgies OF the laws OF
1918 and 1883 he is satisfied that the cost stated
in this estimate would be many times multiplied
and with a constant increase from year to year.
and IL those partially unable to their support
should be admitted to the privileges OF this bill the
probable increase OF expense would be almost ap-
palung. He says:
sit has constantly been q cause OF pride and
congratulation to the American citizen that his
country is not put to the charge OF maintaining
large standing army in time OF peace Yet we are
now living under a war tax which had been toI-
Grated in peaceful times to meet the obligations
incurred In war. But for years past in all parts OF
the country the demand for the reduction OF the
burdens OF taxation upon our labor and prOduc-
ttOn has Increased In volume and urgency. am
not willing to approve measure presenting the
objections to which this bill is subject and which,
moreover, will have the effect OF disappointing the
for relief from war taxation In time OF peace"
He then quotes that part OF his last annual mes
sage in which he said: 'Every patriotic heart re-
spends to tender consideration for those whO
having served their country long and well, are re-
duced to destituron and dependence, not as an In
cident Of their service but with advancing age or
through sickness or misfortune, etc. and says in
closing, 81 adhere to the sentiments thus hereto
fore expressed. But the evil threatened by this
bill Is In my opinion such that charged with q
great responsibility in behalf OF the people can
not do otherwise than to bring to the cOnsidera-
uon OF this measure my best efforts OF thought
and judgment, and perform my constitutional
DUTY in relation thereto regardless OF all conse-
quences, except such as appear to me to be re-
lated to the best and highest interests OF the
country"
THE MESSAGE IN THR HOUSE.
When the message was read in the House yes
terday afternoon Mr.. Matson, of Indiana moved
its reference to the committee on invalid pensions
stating that they would report within the coming
week. The motion was agreed to-l31 to %.
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Last Nights Wind Storm.
MECH DAMAGE DONE IN OHIO AND PENNSYLvANIA-
FIVE HUNGARIANS KILLED.
The wind storm. which ragged here so violently